A lawsuit against Stan Lee and Marvel Entertainment, in which shareholders of Stan Lee Media (the ill-fated Internet start-up) alleged that Lee had improperly transferred rights to his Marvel creations to Marvel (see “Another Stan Lee Media Lawsuit”), was dismissed on Wednesday, according to Variety. 

The judge ruled in favor of Lee and Marvel primarily for technical reasons:  the two primary plaintiffs did not acquire their Stan Lee Media stock until after Lee had transferred his rights to Marvel; securities claims against Stan Lee Media had previously been settled; and the statute of limitations had expired.  The judge also noted the extensive litigation, which has bee filed in Colorado, a California federal court, and in the company’s bankruptcy proceeding, and said “It is now time to call a halt.”